Seniors living with Alzheimer’s gained the attention this year of state lawmakers, who provided more than $5 million of new funding for early detection and home care for those who have the illness. Experts have also acknowledged a growing problem of elder abuse.

One of the most frequent questions Georgia Council on Aging executive director Kathy Floyd is often asked when she meets with constituents across the state is, “How do I know if my parent has Alzheimer’s?”

Obtaining a proper diagnosis is not easy. An estimated 140,000 Georgians—one in nine adults 65 and older—has the disease, yet it’s still under diagnosed and under reported, according to findings by the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council.

One reason is that many primary care physicians are unclear about testing and giving a diagnosis, advocates say.